Factors associated with frequent emergency room attendance by asthma patients in Palestine
Date
2007-04-17
Authors
Al Zabadi Hamzeh
El Sharif Nuha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Int J Tuberc Lung Dis
Abstract
Setting: The emergency room (ER) of Alia Governmental Hospital in Hebron city, in the southern part of the West Bank.
Objective: To investigate the role of asthma severity, health services utilisation and medication use in frequent ER attendance for asthmatics in Palestine.
Design: A cross-sectional study using a previously developed questionnaire.
Results: Of 121 asthma patients, 73.5% were frequent ER attendees during the previous year, with a mean 6.7 visits (standard error 0.75). Moderate/severe asthma and hospital admissions in the previous year due to asthma were the strongest predictors for frequent attendees (adjusted OR [aOR] 6.92, 95%CI 2.44-19.62 and 11.16, 95%CI 4.37-28, respectively). Frequent attendees reported more difficulties in using asthma inhalers compared to one-time ER attendees (aOR 2.49, 95%CI 1.04-5.99). Inhaled short-acting beta(2)-agonists were reported to be used regularly, on most days, by frequent attendees (>or=1 canister/month) compared to one-time attendees (aOR 4.4, 95%CI 1.28-15 and 4.05, 95%CI 1.33-12, respectively).
Conclusions: Lack of proper use of inhalers and an over-reliance on reliever therapy contributes to asthma morbidity in Palestine. We recommend an intervention programme at the professional and patient levels.
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Citation
Al Zabadi H, El Sharif N. Factors associated with frequent emergency room attendance by asthma patients in Palestine. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2007 Aug;11(8):920-7. PMID: 17705961.